Frank Knight became the unofficial “tree warden” in Yarmouth. At that time, Dutch elm disease was attacking the elm tree population. Frank had local workers prune one tree’s diseased limbs carefully. This tree was nicknamed “Herbie,” and endured 14 cases of Dutch elm disease. Thanks to Frank’s attentive care, the tree made it to 217-years-old before finally succumbing to Dutch elm disease. That weekend thereafter, 103-year-old Frank died too. He will now be buried in a casket carved out of the 110-foot-tall tree.
See Eric Pfeiffer, 103-year-old Man to be Buried in Coffin Made From Tree He Fought For Decades to Protect, Yahoo! News, May 15, 2012.
Special thanks to David S. Luber (Attorney at law, Florida Probate Attorney Wills and Estates Law Firm) for bringing this article to my attention.
